An Efficient Ionic Liquid-Mediated Extraction and Enrichment of Isoimperatorin from Ostericum koreanum (Max.) Kitagawa

Ionic liquids (ILs) have attracted significant interest because of their desirable properties. These characteristics have improved their application to overcome the shortcomings of conventional separation techniques for phytochemicals. In this study, several ILs were investigated for their capacity to extract isoimperatorin, a bioactive furanocoumarin, from the roots of Ostericum koreanum. Herein, 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([Bmim][BF4]) was selected as a promising IL for separating isoimperatorin. A central composite design was applied to optimize the extraction conditions. Under the optimal conditions, the yield of isoimperatorin reached 97.17 ± 1.84%. Additionally, the recovery of isoimperatorin from the [Bmim][BF4] solution was successfully achieved (87.73 ± 2.37%) by crystallization using water as an antisolvent. The purity of the isoimperatorin was greatly enhanced, from 0.26 ± 0.28% in the raw material to 26.94 ± 1.26% in the product, in a one-step crystallization process. Namely, an enhancement of approximately 103-folds was reached. The developed approach overcomes the shortcomings of conventional separation methods applied for gaining isoimperatorin by significantly reducing the laboriousness of the process and the consumption of volatile organic solvents. Moreover, the simplicity and effectiveness of the method are assumed to be valuable for producing isoimperatorin-enriched products and for promoting its purification. This work also confirms the efficiency of ILs as a promising material for the separation of phytochemicals.

Pharmacological Role of Ostericum koreanum: A Short Viewpoint

Ostericum koreanum Maxim., a perennial medicinal plant native to Asian countries, is traditionally exploited in Korean Oriental and Chinese Herbal Medicine. It has been used in the treatment of neuralgia, respiratory problems, and joint pain due to its rich content of phytochemicals. Therefore, the significant role of compounds present in O. koreanum should not be overlooked to explore and develop drugs against diseases. The purpose of this review is to provide a reference for researchers and to describe the phytochemical constituents and pharmacological activity of O. koreanum. In this mini review, we have collected the data from 1980 to 2020 regarding the phytochemicals present and pharmacological activities of this plant. Our findings indicated that this plant possesses a rich source of phytochemicals that have significant pharmacological activities, such as anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, anti-influenza, anti-cancer, and neuroprotective. These phytochemicals have promising pharmacological activity which should be further explored for the treatment of various diseases.

Ostericum koreanum Reduces LPS-Induced Bone Loss Through Inhibition of Osteoclastogenesis

The roots of Ostericum koreanum (OK) Maximowicz have traditionally been used to produce an herbal medicine reported to possess anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antimicrobial, and antitumor activities; however, its effect on bone metabolism has not yet been reported. The present study examined the effects of OK extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced bone loss in mice by investigating bone structure and the levels of the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in serum and bone marrow fluid (BMF). The effects of OK extract on osteoclastogenesis were also investigated in mouse bone marrow macrophages by examining the formation of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive cells, the actin ring, and bone resorption activity. OK reduced LPS-induced bone destruction in vivo via a decrease in the RANKL/OPG ratio. Furthermore, it suppressed the formation of TRAP-positive cells and the actin ring, and reduced the bone-resorbing activity of mature osteoclasts. OK also significantly down-regulated the expression of various osteoclast-specific genes. However, it did not affect osteoblast differentiation, or the expression of genes involved in this process. These results demonstrated that OK prevented LPS-induced bone loss by decreasing the RANKL/OPG ratio in serum and BMF, and inhibited osteoclast differentiation and function, suggesting that OK represents a potential therapeutic drug for the treatment of osteoclast-associated bone diseases.

Vasorelaxant Effect of Osterici Radix Ethanol Extract on Rat Aortic Rings

The root ofOstericum koreanumMaximowicz has been used as a traditional medicine called “Kanghwal” in Korea (or “Qianghuo” in China). The purpose of this study was to investigate the vasorelaxant activity and mechanism of action of an ethanol extract of theO. koreanumroot (EOK). We used isolated rat aortic rings to assess the effects of EOK on various vasorelaxant or vasoconstriction factors. EOK induced vasorelaxation in phenylephrine hydrochloride (PE) or KCl precontracted aortic rings in a concentration-dependent manner. However, the vasorelaxant effects of EOK on endothelium-intact aortic rings were reduced by pretreatment withL-NAME or methylene blue. In Ca2+-free Krebs-Henseleit solution, pretreatment with EOK (0.3 mg/mL) completely inhibited PE-induced constriction. In addition, EOK (0.3 mg/mL) also completely inhibited vasoconstriction induced by supplemental Ca2+in aortic rings that were precontracted with PE or KCl. Furthermore, the EOK-induced vasorelaxation in PE-contracted aortic rings was inhibited by preincubation with nifedipine. These results indicate that the vasorelaxant effects of EOK are responsible for the induction of NO formation fromL-Arg and NO-cGMP pathways, blockage of the extracellular Ca2+entry via the receptor-operative Ca2+channel and voltage-dependent calcium channel, and blockage of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+release via the inositol triphosphate pathway.